AFRO Interview: R&B Soulful Artist Algebra Works On Second Album

R&B solo artist Algebra released her latest album, “Purpose,” in 2008, and gained Billboard success. The Atlanta native has worked with Anthony David, Anthony Hamilton and Musiq and opened for neo-soul artists Common, Life Jennings and The Roots. Algebra performed at The Park at Fourteenth nightclub in Washington, D.C. for the Unplugged Series, held weekly this summer by Beny Blaq Entertainment.

Q: What are some upcoming projects you have going on?

A: I’m working on my second album right now. I’m not sure what the name of it will be, but it will be an honest feel.

Q: How do you describe your music? Some may call it contemporary R&B, some may call it underground soul, what do you call it?

A: It’s real, it’s honest music. It is definitely rhythm and blues. It’s soulful. It’s a conglomerate of a few things…It’s my gospel.

Q: What makes you different than other artists?

A: Nothing. I’m the same as every single artist that we know of. Today, past, future, we share something in common which is a desire to be heard; a desire for someone to see us, hear us, listen to us, feel us, understand us—or not understand us. So we kind of have a common purpose…you can like it or you cannot. I don’t know about different. That takes too much time.

Q: What are some topics that you are passionate about when you sing?

A: Life. Love. Understanding. Responsibility. Fun. Emotions—period.

Q: How have you grown as an artist?

A: I’m older. A lot of people would say wiser, but I actually think I had more sense when I was younger. I made a decision based off the logic of things versus me being in a situation and me acting to it. So I’ve grown. I’m becoming a young woman now…ain’t no turning back!

Q: What drove your last album to become a Billboard success?

A: The truth…There’s a record where you are in pain or you are just jolly. It’s going to stick with you for the rest of your life. Whatever it was I had to say, there were people who needed to hear it. That helped a lot.

Q: Which artists would you like to work with in the future?

A: Everybody I can get my hands on. I don’t discriminate. I love everything. I know a lot of artists say that, but I get a kick out of working with my peers—other rhythm and blues writers, singers producers. I get a kick out of knowing that a country artist enjoys my music and they want to work with me.

Whoever wants to work with me, I want to work you!

Q: Do you think you could ever crossover into a different genre?

A: Of course! It’s about transition. It’s about growth. Everybody can’t shake a tail feather forever and if you can, it’s going to slow down. So you will transition into something else because your life is going to change. Your life experiences are going to change…It’s possible, I would love to.

Q: If you can describe your fans in one word, what would it be?

A: Real. No fakeness. I think you attract a lot of who you were; which means, if you are miserable you are going to attract miserable people.

I get a lot of real people…from the realest gangster you could ever known on your block coming to my show to the realest bohemian that churns Shea butter—so they come. It’s real. No fake gangsters, no fake mother earths.